Friday, August 25, 2006

Shake off the dust...Law and Gospel Evangelism

Matthew 10:14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

Mark 6:11And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.

Luke 9:5And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.

Evangelism is important. It is the comission to the Church to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God. For some reason I was thinking about evangelism today, especially evangelism in light of the above mentioned verses.

Jesus tells His disciples in three of the gospels to “shake off the dust from their feet” as a testimony against anyone who will not receive them as servants of the Gospel or listen to their words of salvation.

But what does this mean for evangelism? How does this form our response to those who do not receive the Word of Eternal Life? Should we give up after one try? How do we apply the law in evangelism?These are things I have never thought of before. I think we do need to apply the law to those who refuse the gospel, but how do we do that? I would appreciate any thoughts on these things.

Well Chaz, thank you for the compliment. I look forward to beginning my pastoral service with you and I have a very special place in my heart for the Fort (my hometown!) I'll have to look for you when I come back for a visit. Where have you done field work? I will certainly look up Brother Matt, as I am always on the look-out for more scum!

I echo Chaz's comments! You have a great blog. I am a year ahead of you and have just started at New Hope in Festus, MO - only 30 miles south of you so perhaps I'll come up and take you and Lorfeld for a beer sometime! I too am always looking for more scum!

Background

Who Would Have Guessed??

You are Martin Luther. You'll stick with the words of Scripture, and defend this with earthy expressions. You believe this is a necessary consequence of an orthodox Christology. You believe that the bread and wine are the Body and Blood of Christ, but aren't too sure about where he goes after the meal, and so you don't accept reservation of the Blessed Sacrament or Eucharistic devotions.

The Wittenburg Trail

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

About Us...

Divine Service with the Lord's Supper every Sunday at 9:30Fellowship and Bible Study following service (September-June)

Evening Prayer will be prayed Wednesday evening during Advent (beginning Dec. 1) at 7 pm. Incense is used at Evening Prayer service.

Vespers will be prayed Wednesday evenings during Lent (beginning March 9, 2011) at 7 pm. Incense is used during the Vespers service. We offer Imposition of Ashes (7 am, Noon and 7 pm) with the Divine Service celebrated at 7 pm on Ash Wednesday (March 9th).Private Confession and Absolution available anytime upon request.

We use the new Lutheran Service Book exclusively (Divine Services I, II, III, & IV in rotation). In accordance with the teaching of Scripture, we also practice closed communion. We ask that all visitors please speak with the Pastor before communing. Please consider visiting us if you are in the neighborhood.908 W. MainMiddleville, MI 49333269-795-2391